Fake branch of Karnataka Bank found operating in UP's Ballia

VARANASI: A fake branch of Karnataka Bank was unearthed in Mulayam Nagar locality of Fefna area of Ballia district on Wednesday. The Ballia police arrested Aafaq Ahmed of Badayu district, who was operating this branch as manager by mentioning his name as Vinod Kumar Kambali. Police recovered Rs 1.37 lakh collected by Ahmed by opening 15 saving accounts and fix deposits of local people. Besides, huge stationary including forms, pass books, three computers, laptop, furniture and other articles were also seized. According to CO City Hitendra Krishna, an additional general manager of Karnataka Bank Ltd BBH Upadhyaya along with his subordinates from Varanasi office reached Ballia in afternoon and reported the police about operation of a fake branch of his bank. The CO along with bank officials and heavy police force raided Mulayam Nagar where such branch was found running in a portion of an ex-serviceman. When police reached there Ahmed was sitting inside his chamber while five other employees were found working on computers at different tables. In presence of police Upadhyaya sought Ahmed’s appointment letter, RBI’s license and authorization documents of bank’s headquarters. When he failed to produce the cops arrest him. Other staff, who were local natives and recruited by keeping them in dark against the payment of Rs 5000 each, were spared after recording their statement.

When police started checking the documents and belongings of Ahmed it came to light that he had opened this branch a month back. He had not paid rent to the house owner. The payment against purchase of furniture had also not been made by him. He had disclosed his identity as Vinod Kumar Kambali of Mumbai west, which was also mentioned on his fake Adhar and identity cards. Krishna said that an FIR was lodged under section 419, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of IPC and Ahmed had been arrested.